ONE WEEK AT A TIME: Visas, paddock games and a 'rousing' Happy Birthday

HOLD YOUR HORSES, EVENT'S OFF FOR NOW

ABBEY Edwards and Tristan Williams will be cooling their heels this weekend rather than charging into battle in the ancient art of tent pegging.

The Border pair, Abbey originally from Corryong and now Wodonga, and Tristan from near Rutherglen, were to be part of a junior Australian team taking on Pakistan in Queensland.

But after just packing away the riding gear for the flight north on Wednesday, news came the contest was off.

It seems the visitors hadn’t been able to get their visas.

Abbey, 18, says it’s a temporary setback.

“Apparently when it all gets sorted out it will go ahead but at the moment we are not sure exactly when,” she said.

It’s not the first time the pair has carried the green and gold into an international game.

Both were part of an Australian team that played South Africa in 2012.

“I got into the sport seriously after a Tumbarumba Pony Club camp and it just rolled on from there,” Abbey said. “It’s basically charging at full gallop and using a javelin to pick up a piece of board about three inches by seven inches.”

CUP VISION IS CLOSE TO REALITY

THE vision of the Albury Racing Club may just come to fruition on Friday.

Cup Day was always a big celebration for the Border but only a few years back the horse flesh was second rate, most were bush stayers at best and unlikely to be considered come carnival time.

Yesterday when the nominations closed for the $170,000 showpiece the field was top heavy with Group race winners, Melbourne Cup starters and any number of Cup winners.

Sea Moon started 10-1 in the Melbourne Cup, Mourayan ran fourth to Fiorente last start in the Australian Cup at Flemington.

There are five imports and plenty of quality in the local brigade.

This is million-dollar horse flesh, bluebloods of the thoroughbred world from the country’s biggest stables, ridden by the nation’s best jockeys.

It was Albury racing head honcho John Miller’s dream, along with the support of a hard-working committee, that found the money for the Cup.

It was like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams in the belief that if they built it “they” would come. Now “they” appear to be here.

Certainly the unusually large gap between the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnival has helped this year but the quality of field is kudos for those who dared to dream.

The meeting is now on the national and international map.

BRUNNER STILL HAS IT

OVENS and Murray hall of famer John Brunner called on all of his fighting spirits to knock off footy legend Matt Allen in the final of the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis championships.

The three-time Morris medallist lost the first set to the Wangaratta Rovers premiership player and coach 4-6 before taking the next two 6-3 6-4.

Allen, the games record holder at Rovers with 362 matches, was looking for a remarkable 10th win in the singles.

Brunner, who played more than 400 games in the O and M, then knocked off Allen in the mixed doubles final as well.

The man, who is said to have run five kilometres to work each day and complete the return journey running backwards, has clearly lost none of his staying power.

A THUNDEROUS TUNE

THE all-conquering Thunder have shown their versatility with a “rousing” rendition of Happy Birthday for one of their biggest fans.

The reigning Group 9 Premiers turned it on for Pop Sargeant last week in honour of his 90th birthday.

One Week understands Pop is the Thunder’s No.1 supporter “by far” — attending all of the home and away games as well as most of their functions.

But while the boys have turned it on with the last two premierships, their singing was less harmonious.

The Canberra fan started following the Thunder when his grandchildren started playing 20 years ago.

In the past he supported Gerogery when they had a team.

SOCCER PLAYED IN A PADDOCK

WHAT are they doing with the soccer grounds in Wodonga?

The local derby between Diamonds and twin City had to be deferred after the council ruled the reigning premiers’ ground unplayable.

A re-seeding program had failed to take at the La Trobe University ground and now the round 3 clash against Wangaratta is also under threat.

Over at Willow Park the failure of last year’s grass seeding is even more evident with the two main pitches looking more like a paddock awaiting the autumn break.

Tomorrow Twin City will take on an NPL side in the Dockery Cup round of 32 — the winner just a game away from Australia’s version of the FA Cup.

Sadly, it will be played on the third tier ground that looks more agricultural than a soccer pitch.

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Hamish McIntosh (@HMcintosh01)

Words can't describe last night, Thanks to everyone for the kind MSG's. A great win to celebrate an amazing milestone. #Jimmy250 #belongeelong

ESKDALE GOING WITH THE FLO

ESKDALE may have been delivered a timely omen on the eve of its district cricket grand final against Yackandandah today.

One of the club’s favourite sons Lawrence, affectionately known as Flo, was this week inducted into the Cricket Albury Wodonga Hall of Fame.

A reliable opening bowler and a punishing middle order batsman Hodgkin’s great claim to fame was a stunning 335 against Bandiana in a four-day cricket grand final.

He started his cricketing career in the 1984- 85 season with Eskdale and was quickly recognised as a cricketer with talent.

Hodgkin also managed to play with several Albury and Border clubs, including Wodonga, SS&A, St Pats and Tallangatta.